The Black Phone is a 2021 American supernatural Horror film directed by Scott Derrickson and co-written with his frequent collaborator, C. Robert Cargill. Starring Mason Thames as Finny, the film follows the story of a teenager abducted by a serial killer, known as The Grabber (Ethan Hawke), who holds him captive in a basement. There, Finny discovers a mysterious black rotary phone that allows him to communicate with the spirits of The Grabber’s previous victims, who help him plan his escape. The cast includes Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies, and James Ransone. Produced in collaboration with Blumhouse Productions CEO Jason Blum, The Black Phone was funded by a Universal-Blumhouse co-production agreement and a North Carolina tax subsidy, with Universal Pictures handling distribution. Inspired by Joe Hill’s short story of the same name, published in the Horror anthology 20th Century Ghosts (2005), Derrickson first considered adapting it years earlier but set the project aside for other films, including his work on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). However, after departing Doctor Strange due to creative differences, Derrickson returned to The Black Phone, drawing on his own experiences growing up in suburban Denver to inform the film’s setting and themes. Filming began in Wilmington, North Carolina, in February 2021 with a $16-18 million budget and concluded the following month. Mark Koven composed the film’s synthesizer-heavy score, enhancing the eerie tone. After premiering at Fantastic Fest in September 2021 and releasing in theaters on June 24, 2022, the film surpassed expectations, earning $161.4 million globally. Critics lauded the performances, though opinions on the film’s concept varied. Its success led to the short film Dreamkill, part of the 2023 anthology V/H/S/85, with a Black Phone sequel slated for release on October 17, 2025.
The Black Phone - Release Date, Trailer, Songs, Cast
| Movie: | The Black Phone |
| Genre: | Horror,Mystery,Thriller |
| Language: | English |
| Director: | Scott Derrickson |
| Main Cast: | Mason Thames,Madeleine McGraw |
| Release Date: | September 25, 2021 |
| Banner: | Universal Pictures |
| Music: | Mark Korven |
| Budget: | Not available |
| Runtime: | 1h 43m |
The Black Phone Movie Screenshot
The Black Phone Movie Story
The Black Phone centers on Finny, a shy teenage boy living in a quiet suburban neighborhood who becomes the latest victim of a terrifying serial killer known as The Grabber. Abducted and locked in a soundproof basement, Finny finds himself isolated and frightened, with only a disconnected black rotary phone on the wall. To his shock, the phone mysteriously rings, allowing him to communicate with the spirits of The Grabber’s previous victims. These children, speaking from beyond, offer Finny guidance, advice, and strategies to escape the clutches of their murderer. Meanwhile, Finny’s younger sister, Gwen, experiences psychic visions that hint at his whereabouts, pushing her to assist in the search. As Finny tries to survive The Grabber’s psychological games, the spirits’ messages and Gwen’s visions merge to form a suspenseful and supernatural journey toward survival. Blending Horror with emotional depth, The Black Phone explores themes of courage, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between siblings.
The Black Phone Movie Review
The Black Phone is an impressive Horror film and one of the scariest I’ve seen. The story follows a young boy kidnapped by a mysterious man, who uses an eerie black phone in his basement to speak with the spirits of the kidnapper’s previous victims, each offering advice to help him escape. The basement setting is oppressively claustrophobic, making it feel like an unsettling place where no one would want to be trapped. The film’s atmosphere is thick with mystery, especially in the middle portion, where it builds tension without wasting time on unnecessary scenes. The story moves at a steady pace, and though the cast is small, the two central characters are very well developed, with strong performances and solid writing. It’s fascinating to watch the protagonist connect with the spirits of former victims, learning their secrets, building his courage, and ultimately finding the strength to confront his captor.The villain is a classic “masked killer” but stands out as uniquely unsettling compared to iconic Horror antagonists like Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers, Leatherface, or Ghostface. He has a chilling presence, embodying exactly what a Horror villain should be: terrifying, memorable, and uniquely dangerous. This film kept me captivated and delivered far more intrigue and scares than I expected.
The Black Phone Movie Trailer
FAQ About The Black Phone Movie
Q1 – Who Directed The Black Phone Movie?
A -Scott Derrickson
Q2-What Genre Is The Black Phone Movie?
A-Horror,Mystery,Thriller
Q3-Lead Cast In The Black Phone Movie?
A-Mason Thames,Madeleine McGraw
Q4- Rating Of The Black Phone Movie?
A-13+